McDonald Patafta & Associates Lawyers (formerly Arion Legal) provides international standard legal and tax advice and documentation for foreign investors operating in, or looking to invest in, the Lao PDR. With extensive commercial legal and tax experience our senior Lao and foreign lawyers and tax advisors take a practical and problem solving approach to their work, whilst maintaining a high level of integrity in all dealings.
Foreign Investment
Energy & Natural Resources
Exploration & Mining
Our Approach
Global Scale + Local Presence
Our Services
Foreign Investment
We assist foreign investors in securitising all levels of investment including property, project and corporate investments. We support investors in facilitating solutions to safeguard investments and assets in a risk-mitigating and cost-efficient manner.
Energy & Mining
We bring a wealth of experience and strong local and international connections to offer solution focused support to clients. Our team has acted on various hydropower and infrastructure projects and we will work with you to achieve your objectives.
Corporate & Commercial
We help a diverse client base facilitate corporate and commercial solutions. We support clients in all stages of development and operations, from enterprise registration and land transactions to assisting with complex, international deals.
Taxation
We provide a full range of professional services across all areas of taxation from assistance with monthly tax returns and declarations through to the provision of complex tax analysis and advice.
Infrastructure & Construction
We offer support at all levels and stages of infrastructure and construction projects. We can assist with due diligence, licencing and preparation of documentation to meet your requirements.
Project Finance
We have significant experience in project financing and regularly act for local and international corporations and lenders in relation to numerous large-scale projects located in Lao PDR.
Meet the Team
Mike McDonald
Managing Director
Kaz Patafta
Director
Bou Liemphrachanh
Deputy Director
Khamkong Liemphrachanh
Senior Counsel
Cryptocurrency and blockchain regulation in Lao PDR
The rise of cryptocurrency has placed the decentralised system of finance in the spotlight with the recent record high in the price of Bitcoin (“BTC”) reaching more than USD$68,521 earlier this month. Take Southeast Asia for example with the region experiencing resounding impact of this digital phenomenon especially in...
Additional Decision on the Implementation of Credit Policy to Reduce Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic
The Bank of Lao PDR has issued the Additional Decision on the Implementation of Credit Policy to Reduce Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic No. 256 dated 13 May 2021 (“Decision”). The Decision outlines additional measures to reduce Covid-19 related hardship for loan customers of commercial banks and financial institutions whose...
Notification on authorisation of entry-exit documentation for Vientiane Capital
The Department of Health of Vientiane Capital, on behalf of the Covid-19 Taskforce, has issued Notification No. 378 dated 10 May 2021 addressing the authorisation of entry-exit documentation for Vientiane Capital until 20 May 2021 (the “Notification”). The Notification allows for movement of persons for employment and personal reasons...
